A Prayer For Fathers

Happy Father's Day to all you strong, wonderful fathers out there. Today is your day, and I pray that you enjoy it to the fullest. I salute the young fathers especially who bring their families to church and take care of them during the service. I watch as they go off to the changing room, diaper bag in one hand and baby over their shoulder. That's an example of true fatherhood.

I also want to give a shout out to the fathers in my life - my oldest son Kevin, raising three children on his own since his wife's death. My son-in-law Mike, a strong, devoted father who always makes time to spend with his children and care for their needs. Last, but not least, my husband, TJ. What can I say about him? Even now that his children are grown, he remains a rock of support, wisdom, and strength to them.

I make no apologies for re-posting this article from last Father’s Day because I think it’s one of those evergreen ones. Fathers carry a heavy responsibility on their broad shoulders, and without God to help them carry it, they will collapse under the weight. So, father’s, stepfathers, fathers-in-law, this prayer is for you.

Heavenly Father, when you made man, you brought the woman to him and you said, "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth" (Genesis 1: 28). You also provided the means for fathers to take care of their families, and I pray, Lord, that You will continue to equip these men and give them opportunities so they can provide well for their families.

Give them wisdom and direction "to train up their children in the way they should go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22: 6). In their zeal to discipline their children, help fathers to "provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6: 4). 

May they always lead by example so their children can model their lives after a man who is loving but firm, patient but persevering, and who "will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord" (18: 19).

Father God, when tough times come, as they will, help our fathers to draw their strength from You, "to acknowledge you in all their ways, and You shall direct their paths" (Proverbs 3:6). Help them not to be discouraged but to recognize that they "can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4: 13).

Help fathers to model true love and devotion to their wives, may they love them as Christ loves the church, (Ephesians 5 : 25), may they "dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel" (1 Peter 3: 7), so their sons will follow their example when they have wives, and their daughters will know what qualities to look for in the men they will marry.

And I pray, Lord, that You will bless these men and reward their work richly so that when the time comes they will hear the words, "well done thou good and faithful servant"(Matthew 25: 21).

Happy Father's Day!

The Lost Duckling

courtesy morguefile

Returning from my walk one day last week, I saw one of my neighbors walking her dog, but looking about in a very concerned manner. As I drew nearer, she said, "He's all alone. Where's his family?"

I looked down and saw that she was referring to a little duckling who was all by himself. That was indeed strange. We'd never seen any of the ducklings alone before, and as I looked at the little creature, I thought he seemed frightened as if he knew he was lost. Then I remembered seeing someone feeding a family of ducks near the lake.

I pointed in that direction. "They're over there," I said.

My neighbor's face brightened and she turned to her dog. "Come on, boy. We have to help."

She set off, looking back every now and then and calling to the duck who followed slowly after her. I believe he must have caught up with the others eventually because I didn't see him again that day.

Have you ever been lost? I have, in some scary places. Did someone help you find your way? Sometimes, I was helped.

What if you know someone is lost spiritually, would you help him find his way? Jesus asked, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4).

He goes on to say, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (19 : 10).

Like my neighbor did with that duckling, we too can help those who are lost find their way to Jesus.
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